How to Tell if Alexander McQueen Is Real: Labels, Style Codes and Safe Places to Buy

The most reliable way to know an Alexander McQueen piece is real is to buy it new from the house itself, and from verified retailers. If you are checking a piece yourself, compare the style code on the label with the product it claims to be, then look at construction: even stitching, clean edges, heavy hardware and crisp, correctly spelled logos. A price far below retail is the strongest warning sign of all.

Read the style code

Every current McQueen product carries a 15-character code that combines the style, the material and the colour. The Niko boot in black, for example, is 876186WIAK61000, and the same boot in storm grey is 876186WIAK71466: the first six characters are the style, and the last four are the colour, with 1000 meaning black across the collection. The same code should appear on the care label, the box and any receipt, and it should match the product shown on the official McQueen site.

What to check on a bag

• Hardware: the Knuckle and the padlock are solid metal, heavy for their size, with crisp detail on the skull. Read the story of the Knuckle.
• Leather and edges: even stitching, neatly painted edges and no glue at the seams.
• Labels: a clean, correctly spaced logo and an interior label whose details match the box and receipt.

What to check on shoes

• Sizing: McQueen labels shoes on the Italian scale; see the shoe size guide.
• Heel and sole: on the current Niko styles the metal heel counter is engraved with the McQueen logo, and the soles are leather.
• Sneakers: the Oversized sneaker is among the most faked shoes in luxury; read our guide to the Oversized sneaker.

What to check on a scarf

The skull scarf has been copied since it first appeared in 2003. On a real one the skulls are evenly spaced and clearly drawn, the edges are finished neatly and the fibre matches the label. Read the history of the skull scarf.

Where to buy safely

Buy new from the McQueen boutiques and website, and from established retailers that verify every piece. Every Alexander McQueen product sold by Coveti is new, authentic and verified before dispatch. For resale, use a platform that authenticates independently and offers a return window, and ask for photographs of the actual item, labels included. Our guide to where to buy Alexander McQueen lists boutiques by country.

Frequently asked questions

Does Alexander McQueen have an authenticity code?

Current McQueen products carry a 15-character style code combining style, material and colour, such as 876186WIAK61000 for the black Niko boot. It should match across the label, box and receipt, and match the product on the official McQueen site.

Where is the serial number on Alexander McQueen shoes?

Look for the style code and size on the inside of the shoe and on the box label; the two should agree with each other and with the receipt.

How can I tell if an Alexander McQueen bag is real?

Check that the hardware is solid and heavy with crisp detail, the stitching and edges are even, the logo is cleanly spaced, and the style code on the label matches the box, the receipt and the official product page.

Is Coveti an authentic Alexander McQueen seller?

Yes. Every Alexander McQueen piece sold by Coveti is new, 100% authentic and verified before dispatch.

What is the biggest sign of a fake McQueen?

Price. A new McQueen piece offered far below the retail price, especially from an unknown seller, is the most common sign of a counterfeit.

Shop verified pieces on the Alexander McQueen page.